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Best Wedding Reception Games

February 14, 2018 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

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If you find yourself contemplating wedding reception options and trying to decide whether to play games after your guests have finished their meal, the decision should be easy: play the games!  Over my years as a wedding photographer (and wedding guest! and bride!), I have seen many wedding receptions and (most of!) my favorite wedding receptions have been filled with laughter and games.  The best wedding reception games are the ones that encourage laughter, build camaraderie among the guests, make lasting memories, and create awesome photo opportunities.

Best Wedding Reception Games: The Shoe Game

The easiest and best wedding reception game involves the bride and groom sitting back-to-back, holding one shoe in each hand. The DJ or Master of Ceremonies asks a series of questions which the couple answers by raising the appropriate shoe.

“Who has the best fashion sense?”
“Who said ‘I Love You’ first?”
“Who will take out the trash?”
“Who is messier?”
“Who wants kids more?”
“Who will do most of the cooking?”
“In a fight, who is most likely to say ‘sorry’ first?”
“Who tells the best jokes?”
“Who’s car is the cleanest?”
“Who loves who most?”

While some questions might easily be answered by both the bride and groom, eventually you’ll find some…confusion…and the outcome gets hysterical! (For more sample questions, try Holidappy’s list of 60 sample questions!”

My favourite part, of course, is when the answer isn’t obvious and the bride and groom offer opposite shoes in response to the question.

Best Wedding Reception Games: Identify Her Elbow

After blindfolding the groom, have all the bridesmaids sit silently in a row with the bride.  Someone guides the groom from elbow-to-elbow to see if he can properly identify the elbow of his bride.  I’ve only seen this game played twice (once as a guest, so I have no photos to prove it!) and both times it was absolutely a stitch to watch the girls try desperately not to laugh while the groom caresses their elbow.

I mean, look at that suppressed laughter! You know all the guests were in stitches watching this unfold!

Best Wedding Reception Games: Identify His Knee

The bride’s version of “Identify Her Elbow”, I think “Identifying His Knee” is even more a stitch.  How often do you see an entire group of groomsmen roll up their pant leg and stand on chairs in the middle of the wedding reception? Never? Didn’t think so.

After blindfolding the bride, the groom and groomsmen stand on a row of chairs and roll up a pant leg to expose a bare knee. Guided from knee-to-knee, the bride touches those hairy specimens to identify her groom. THERE IS NOTHING FUNNIER. Truly. Just believe me and DO IT!

My personal favourite moment of this particular game?  When the bride felt one knee and exclaimed – loudly – “What is THAT?!”

And when the bride identifies the wrong knee? I dare you not to laugh.

 

Best Wedding Reception Games: Lawn Games

Any outdoor wedding reception can benefit from a few carefully placed lawn games and a couple of specially planted lawn game experts.  Whether it’s a rousing game of corn hole or a lawn bowling variation that defies standard rule-making, giving guests an activity that encourages community and fun and interaction? Brilliant.

The best part? You can buy lawn games anywhere — even Amazon!  

Pictured here is Koob. I have no idea how to play, but these guests obviously had a blast and I love that such a classy wooden game is both made-in-Canada AND available on Amazon.

Corn Hole is a classic favourite, if you have any sense of aim with a beanbag. 😛 (For the record, I don’t.)

Best Reception Games: Honeymoon Fund

Only plan this game if you’re willing to smash or be smashed when it’s cake-cutting time.  The whole goal? Let the guests put their money where your mouth is and decide who gets to smash the cake! Plus, the loonies and toonies go directly to your honeymoon spending fund so benefits obviously outweigh the costs.

Best Wedding Reception Game: Work For A Kiss

If the idea of incessant clinking during your wedding reception is less than appealing, make your guests work for the privilege of watching you kiss! 😉  All you need is a large dice and a list of actions.   Guests are warned not to clink their glasses and to instead take their turn rolling the dice.  Each number rolled corresponds to an action required before the newlyweds will kiss (with a few “free” options thrown in for good measure).

Sample Actions:

  • Guest (and their table!) sing a verse from a love song
  • Bride and Groom get to kiss as long as the guest can hula hoop
  • Guests demonstrate a kiss for the bride & groom to mimic
  • Bride and Groom get to eskimo kiss
  • Guest has to give a (short!) toast
  • Guest has to answer  a trivia question about the couple

(Pssst to make it extra interesting: rig the hula hoop with fishing line before the reception! That will be one LONG kiss and NO ONE will be able to see the secret trick to hula hooping success!)

One note: know your guest list!  Not everyone enjoys participating in group activities like this, so make sure everyone knows that participation is voluntary!

Best Wedding Reception Game: Sell the Groom’s Tie

Yes, that’s right: sell the groom’s tie, auctioning pieces off to fund the honeymoon!  The more money paid, the larger the piece of a tie the guest received. This is a Brazilian tradition, so adds an international flare to your reception, but requires enthusiastic groomsmen to hype the crowd and a willingness to literally scissor up the tie and sell it off.

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Best Wedding Reception Games

Best Wedding Reception Games

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About Jennifer

Hi! I’m Jennifer and I’m a wedding photographer based in Abbotsford, BC serving the Fraser Valley. I’ve photographed weddings for the last eight years and built my business while working a desk job and living in North Carolina. Since marrying a Canadian and moving to the Fraser Valley I’ve fallen in love with the perfect wedding backdrops: lovely winter raindrops, glorious Pacific Ocean sunsets, and magnificent evergreen mountaintops.

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Jenni Marie Photography is for you if...

- Are in love with a great man
- Aren’t afraid of a little rain
- Want great photos filled with real life and emotions
- Know you are created in God’s image
- Love juxtaposing rugged adventure and femininity
- Celebrate marriage, not just the wedding day
- Don’t accept norms “just because”
- Think outside the box
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Jennifer is phenomenal. She loves weddings so much, and her experience allows her to anticipate the best shots. - Christina
2016-07-09T20:17:00-08:00
Jennifer is phenomenal. She loves weddings so much, and her experience allows her to anticipate the best shots. - Christina
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I had my wedding photos within a month of the wedding and was BEYOND pleased with her work! - Jenna
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I had my wedding photos within a month of the wedding and was BEYOND pleased with her work! - Jenna
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Jenni Marie captured my wedding’s every detail and created a visual archive of memories just as beautiful as my own memories of my wedding day. - Joanna
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Jenni Marie captured my wedding’s every detail and created a visual archive of memories just as beautiful as my own memories of my wedding day. - Joanna
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Her photos are perfection, and her talent is rivalled only by her beautiful soul. -  Ashley
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Her photos are perfection, and her talent is rivalled only by her beautiful soul. -  Ashley
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Instagram post 2340141394864953984_49906028 Speaking of impressive views.... this is my favourite spot.⁠ ⁠ But ever since hubby bought a new truck he is hesitant to have it driven up there. Something about not wanting to scratch it yet. Understandable, I suppose, but I guess I need a 4x4 all my own. Any suggestions?⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #engagementphotoshoot #engagementphotographer #couplesphotography #wildloveadventures #muchlove_ig #radlovestories #togetherjournal #wildhairandhappyhearts #adventurouslovestories #adventuresession #adventurouscouple
Instagram post 2338764808000930173_49906028 Pssst. I have many favourite wedding venues in the Fraser Valley, but this one has such impressive views I can't even stand it.⁠ ⁠ @americancreeklodge⁠ ⁠ #realcouplesofBC ⁠ #fraservalley #vancity #fraservalleywedding #langleybc #weddingday #weddingplanning #vancitybride ⁠ #weddinginspiration #chasinglight #neverstopexploring #photobugcommunity #ilovebc #weddingwirecanada #604now #bridalphotos #bcwedding #livefolk #huffpostido #mountainbride⁠
Instagram post 2337407766928557557_49906028 What is special about this light?⁠ ⁠ Over the past few weeks, I've been sharing some of my favourite photo tips and ways you can improve your own photographs.⁠ ⁠ We've talked about how to be smarter than your camera, we've talked about how to pose for more flattering photos and more natural smiles, we've talked about how to compose intentional photos.⁠ ⁠ (If you missed it, follow along at #jennimariephototip.)⁠ ⁠ BUT ULTIMATELY, the goal of truly exceptional photography is to follow the light, work with the light you can find, and utilize the light you see.⁠ ⁠ So.⁠ ⁠ What is special about this light?⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #lifeofadventures #letswander #roamtheworld #visualwanderlust #stayandwonder #portraitpatrol #creativeportrait #fraservalleyadventurist #takeabreak #marriedadventure #photographerlife #meetthephotographer #fraservalleyweddingphotographer⁠ #engagementphotoshoot #engagementphotographer #couplesphotography #wildloveadventures #muchlove_ig #radlovestories #togetherjournal #wildhairandhappyhearts #adventurouslovestories #adventuresession #adventurouscouple
Instagram post 2335123837925953107_49906028 Here's my final #jennimariephototip for achieving natural smiles in photos: BE GENUINELY HAPPY.⁠ ⁠ It's not always possible to eliminate stressors of life, but as much as it is possible a photoshoot needs to be a happy experience showcasing your genuine happiness.⁠ ⁠ If I can be dramatic, THE NUMBER ONE TIP is to stop stressing about how you look and instead focus on how happy you feel.⁠ ⁠ Yup, that's right. Ignore appearances and focus on happiness.⁠ ⁠ During your photoshoot with me, it'll be easy: you'll be laughing at and with me and won't have time to worry about whether your smile is going to your eyes or not. I will make it fun, easy, and fabulous.⁠ ⁠ But.⁠ ⁠ If you can't let go and just laugh, if you're too nervous about your appearance to enjoy the forced make out session (aka date with a paparazzi), if you're scared to trust me (I have never had anyone NOT laugh during a photoshoot with me!), then it's going to have to be mind over matter: FORCE yourself to stop stressing and make every effort to let go of the tension and just be happy. ⁠ ⁠ If you want to look happy, you have to be happy.⁠ ⁠ End of story.⁠ ⁠ <3 ⁠ ⁠ #jennimariephototip⁠ #fraservalleyweddingphotographer #theweddingbliss #gettinghitched #yourdayyourway #herecomesthebride #marthastewartweddings #huffpostweddings #marthaweddings #springwedding #tohaveandtohold #aislestyle #weddingbliss #weddingsofinstagram #bridetrends #weddingchics #realweddings #huffpostido #justsaidyes #myweddingbee #fraservalleyphotographer #fraservalleyweddings #canadianwedding #vancitywedding #weddingwirecanada #bridetobe
Instagram post 2333623434294589707_49906028 For truly natural smiles, I remind you: it's all in the eyes.⁠ ⁠ Smize.⁠ ⁠ Smile with your eyes.⁠ ⁠ Let your eyes smile.⁠ ⁠ I don't care how you say it, just let the happiness make it to your eyes.⁠ ⁠ ALSO: this photo is almost two years old and I still love it just as much as ever. <3 ⁠ ⁠ #jennimariephototip⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #realcouplesofBC ⁠ #fraservalley #vancity #fraservalleywedding #langleybc #weddingday #weddingplanning #vancitybride ⁠ #weddinginspiration #chasinglight #neverstopexploring #photobugcommunity #ilovebc #weddingwirecanada #604now #bridalphotos #bcwedding #livefolk #huffpostido #mountainbride⁠
Instagram post 2332979113734537523_49906028 For the more extreme "Chandler smiles" (unpopular opinion: that's the one episode of "Friends" that I laugh at . . . ), I can only suggest one final technique: make him laugh with whatever means necessary. ⁠ ⁠ Even if it means tickling. ⁠ ⁠ I will admit that my own hubby doesn't have a very easy time of letting natural smiles happen in front of a camera. With as much as photos are part of my world, being photographed isn't his favourite thing and we make it as fun (and fast!) as possible.⁠ ⁠ We take a lot of photos together, yes, but this one from a couple years ago by @sherriprestonphotography I remember distinctly because I am very covertly tickling his side to get that very genuine smile and laugh.⁠ ⁠ So maybe that's the only way to get a real smile...and that's okay.⁠ ⁠ At least you're sure to create a memorable moment!⁠ ⁠ #jennimariephototip ⁠ ⁠ #fraservalleyweddingphotographer #theweddingbliss #gettinghitched #yourdayyourway ⁠ #phototips #photographyhacks #photographyideas #photographyislove #nikoncanada #canada_gram #lifeincanada #photographylessons #learnphotography #photographytips #photographersoninstagram
Instagram post 2329990227858230526_49906028 To continue the conversation from yesterday: pandemic life is not easy on relationship and family.⁠ ⁠ But. While it's important to acknowledge the struggles, it's also valuable to play Pollyanna and find blessings in the raindrops, gratitude in the storm. ⁠ ⁠ Is there something you can be thankful for BECAUSE of this season? ⁠ ⁠ I could complain for hours about the border closures and mandatory quarantine that has kept my newborn-ish daughter from seeing/meeting my family that all lives in Americaland (and sometimes I do :-P)⁠ ⁠ OR ⁠ ⁠ I can celebrate that a forced longer-than-planned maternity leave (my spring/early-summer weddings have been postponed) have granted me the opportunity to just get to know my girl, unrushed and unscheduled.⁠ ⁠ So there's my encouragement/challenge for you: play Pollyanna when you can, but take time to grieve when you need to. And, most importantly, give yourself and your spouse/fiance grace upon grace upon grace.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #marriagetip #marriagetips #relationshipskills #marriagehelp #healthymarriage
Instagram post 2329249062187390470_49906028 A global pandemic is NOT normal relationship strain.⁠ ⁠ Ha. Like, understatement of the year. Yesss, marriage takes work and yesss you'll face hard stuff many times in your marriage BUT the all-encompassing strain of a pandemic should not be underestimated. It's mental and physical and emotional and financial. It's inside your relationship, it's outside your relationship, it's coming from friends and family, it's coming from media, it's literally everywhere and affecting everything. I can't think of any other strain in a relationship that would be THAT all-encompassing. So give yourselves a LOT of grace, okay?⁠ ⁠ I wrote that in an email a few weeks ago to an overwhelmed bride and I've been pondering the reality ever since.⁠ ⁠ Pandemic life has uprooted all sense of normal, created an all-encompassing season of grief, forced plans to change on every calendar (calendar? what calendar?) and created a perfect situation for strain and pain.⁠ ⁠ This is NOT normal. ⁠ ⁠ So, what can you do today to bolster your marriage and strengthen your relationship to weather the storm? ⁠ ⁠ #marriagetip #marriagetips #relationshipskills #marriagehelp #healthymarriage
Instagram post 2327827676307304491_49906028 I love wedding details. <3 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #langleywedding #vancitywedding #vancitybride #vancouverbride #realcouplesofBC #realbridesofBC #bcwedding #langleyphotographer #embracehopeBC #weddingwirecanada #fraservalleyphotographer #fraservalleyweddings #fraservalleyweddingphotographer #thefraservalley #fraservalleywedding #explorefraservalley #bcweddingphotographer
Instagram post 2327133089304562922_49906028 NATURAL SMILES: don't look at the camera. The easiest way to freeze into a blank smile? Staring at a black box. The best way to relax into a moment filled with genuine happiness and sincere smiles? Look at the person you are with. If you've ever been photographed by me, you've seen me create moments where you're naturally looking at one another and laughing. I will ask a silly question, for example, and suddenly you're looking at one another trying to answer it and...voila! ... its a genuine smile. So if you're trying to get a natural smile, look at someone you're with for a sweet, memorable moment. OR, you know, smile away from the camera for a minute and then come back to the frame for a moment of candor. (Fact: I'm not on a beach in Spain right now. But if I were, I wouldn't be six months pregnant like I was in this photo. 😂 If that isn't a testament to the power of knowing your angles, I don't know what is.) #jennimariephototip
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